Baptism of Jesus Sermon

O holy God, help us see ourselves as you see us—beautiful and beloved. In moments when we feel that we are not enough, surround us with your love and remind us that we are yours. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

And a voice came from heaven,

“You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” (NRSV)

I wonder how Jesus felt as he walked to the River Jordan and his cousin John.  He was baptized just as so many were around him. Then he came out of those baptismal waters and the voice of love rained upon him.

For the voice from heaven he heard is addressed to him: “You are my Son, the beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Baptism give us our identity with God.  It reminded Jesus and it teaches us who we are – God’s beloved children – and of the promise of God’s unconditional love.

In a time when our identity is often challenged: we often change jobs and careers, most of us have lived in different residences rather that living in a single town or community, fewer families remain together and often spread out over long distances – there is a desire to understand who we are.

As our foundation, baptism reminds us that we discover who we are in relation to whose we are, that is God’s beloved children, and nothing changes that truth for us. We belong to God’s family, and the water and oil of baptism is a sign of that grace, that gift.

“The great struggle of the Christian life is to take God’s name for us, to believe we are beloved and to believe that is enough.” - Rachel Held Evans (author and Episcopalian)

In the prophet Isaiah, we hear that we are God’s chosen ones, in whom God’s soul delights; who call us each by name.  It is God who has known us, as Psalm 139 says, God created our inmost parts; knit us together in our mothers’ wombs. From which we give thanks because we are marvelously made; God’s works are wonderful, and we know it well.

And there was a voice from heaven:

“You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.” (CEB)

We all enjoy to hear someone say to us, “Thank you.  You did well.  You have made me happy.  I love you.”  Today, Jesus hears those words from his Father in heaven — and, in the waters of our own baptisms, God speaks those same words to us.  We are the beloved of God; God claims us as his own. 

Unless and until we hear the voice from heaven claiming that we are cherished by a God who is “well-pleased” with us, we will never be able to truly cherish anyone or believe that we are their beloved as well.  The voice of God — our creator —speaks to all of us in the sacrament of Baptism; the Spirit of God descends upon us, enabling us to give to others the love God joyfully gives to us.  

How do we do this? Let me tell you one of my favorite stories…

Two friends are having lunch at a local restaurant when one woman is distracted by a scene two tables over.

"What's the matter?" her friend asks. "See that couple over there? We're sharing the same waiter except they're being so demanding that he barely has time for anyone else. Look at how they turn up their noses at everything he brings them."

"Maybe their order just isn't to their liking." "No, that's not it at all. I was a waitress in college and I know the game. They're just trying to berate that kid into a free lunch."

Just then, they watch as the manager walks over to the table and stands next to the waiter. The couple complains loudly about the food and service. The manager takes the check from the waiter and motions him away. "See what I mean?" the woman says.

The embarrassed waiter comes over to the women's table. "Is there anything else I can get you?" he asks, his eyes downcast as he places the check on the table between the two women.

The former waitress snatches the check before her friend can even look at it and pulls out several bills from her purse. She hands everything to the waiter.

"Keep the change."

"But ma'am, that's . . ."

She takes the young man's hand and squeezes it. She looks him in the eye and says, "I know the kind of afternoon you're having. You're a terrific waiter. And you've earned every dime of this. So don't argue with an old lady who's been there." [From The Other Ninety Percent by Robert K. Cooper.]

That’s how you treat another as a beloved in God’s creation.

And along with the Spirit, a voice:

“You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.” (Message)

Take a moment.  Listen to those words. You are God’s chosen, marked by God’s love…

Today, Isabella will be baptized. She will become part of the Body of Christ. And through the Beloved, Jesus, she too will become marked by love. It is grace.

A grace we all have experienced in our own baptisms.

O baptized friends, today let us live out of this holy water, taking that love out with us, so that others can know that they too are dearly loved and that in them we find happiness. Amen.